Pests and dangerous plant hazards in Arizona
Going to do our first extended trip to Arizona this winter as a CDN Snowbird. We spent 3 weeks in Apache Junction in 2000 and met the lovely Choa (Jumping) Cactus but what other pests and plants does...
Forum Discussion
I live in Las Vegas. We are in the Mojave Desert, while most of Arizona is in the Sonoran Desert. But most of our wildlife is pretty close, with the exception of javelinas. Scorpions seem to breed in palm trees and we have quite a few in our neighborhood, but to be honest, I've never seen one in the wild.
As mentioned above, if you are boon docking, you need to be aware that coyotes will attack small animals if given the opportunity, but leave people and larger animals alone. Snakes might be a problem, just be aware, and of course, they hibernate in the winter. Unlike horror movies, tarantulas and gila monsters are not a problem, even if you are fortunate to see one.
All in all, your biggest problem with be with cactus. Many types have almost microscopic "hairs" that get into your skin and itch or hurt for days until your body expels them.
One of the great things about the desert is that we don't have many flying insects, no mosquitos, just a few flies and no chiggers!
As mentioned above, if you are boon docking, you need to be aware that coyotes will attack small animals if given the opportunity, but leave people and larger animals alone. Snakes might be a problem, just be aware, and of course, they hibernate in the winter. Unlike horror movies, tarantulas and gila monsters are not a problem, even if you are fortunate to see one.
All in all, your biggest problem with be with cactus. Many types have almost microscopic "hairs" that get into your skin and itch or hurt for days until your body expels them.
One of the great things about the desert is that we don't have many flying insects, no mosquitos, just a few flies and no chiggers!
